Video games with nonbinary player character options: Difference between revisions

Added Cassette Beasts to the (2023) list.
({{citation needed}})
Tag: 2017 source edit
(Added Cassette Beasts to the (2023) list.)
(17 intermediate revisions by 10 users not shown)
Line 20: Line 20:
*In the visual novel/dating sim ''LongStory'', players choose the protagonist's pronouns from they, she, or he.
*In the visual novel/dating sim ''LongStory'', players choose the protagonist's pronouns from they, she, or he.
*In the dating sim ''Great Personality: Guardians'', there is an option for the player character to be genderqueer.<ref name="repr_Grea">{{Cite web |title=Great Personality: Guardians |author= |work=Represent Me |date= |access-date=12 July 2021 |url= https://representme.charity/projects/queer/database/title/great-personality-guardians|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230328221857/https://representme.charity/projects/queer/database/title/great-personality-guardians|archive-date=17 July 2023}}</ref>
*In the dating sim ''Great Personality: Guardians'', there is an option for the player character to be genderqueer.<ref name="repr_Grea">{{Cite web |title=Great Personality: Guardians |author= |work=Represent Me |date= |access-date=12 July 2021 |url= https://representme.charity/projects/queer/database/title/great-personality-guardians|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230328221857/https://representme.charity/projects/queer/database/title/great-personality-guardians|archive-date=17 July 2023}}</ref>
* The puzzle game ''Robots Need Love Too'' allows a choice of six pronoun sets for your robots: she, he, they, zie, ey, or xie.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Robots Need Love Too |author= |work=TouchArcade |date= |access-date=7 September 2021 |url= https://toucharcade.com/games/robots-need-love-too |quote=Inclusive design: choose from 6 personal pronouns (she, he, they, zie, ey, and xie) |archive-url=False |archive-date=17 July 2023 }}</ref>
* The puzzle game ''Robots Need Love Too'' allows a choice of six pronoun sets for your robots: she, he, they, zie, ey, or xie.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Robots Need Love Too |author= |work=TouchArcade |date= |access-date=7 September 2021 |url=https://toucharcade.com/games/robots-need-love-too |quote=Inclusive design: choose from 6 personal pronouns (she, he, they, zie, ey, and xie) |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230721141829/https://toucharcade.com/games/robots-need-love-too |archive-date=21 July 2023 |url-status=bot: unknown }}</ref>
* The interactive novel game ''Creatures Such as We'' allows the player to identify themself as a cis man, cis woman, trans man, trans woman, 'person', or 'other' (fill in the blank).<ref name="COG-representme">{{Cite web |title=Choice of Games (developer) |author= |work=Represent Me |date= |access-date=8 September 2021 |url= https://representme.charity/projects/queer/database/title/choice-of-games|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230515063327/https://representme.charity/projects/queer/database/title/choice-of-games|archive-date=17 July 2023}}</ref>
* The interactive novel game ''Creatures Such as We'' allows the player to identify themself as a cis man, cis woman, trans man, trans woman, 'person', or 'other' (fill in the blank).<ref name="COG-representme">{{Cite web |title=Choice of Games (developer) |author= |work=Represent Me |date= |access-date=8 September 2021 |url= https://representme.charity/projects/queer/database/title/choice-of-games|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230515063327/https://representme.charity/projects/queer/database/title/choice-of-games|archive-date=17 July 2023}}</ref>


Line 26: Line 26:
*''VERSUS: The Lost Ones'' by Zachary Sergi (published in 2015 by Choice of Games LLC) is a sci-fi interactive novel where it's possible to play a nonbinary character. The player's character, Thomil, comes from a planet where everyone telepathically shares their thoughts and feelings with one another. A couple chapters into the story, the player is asked about their character's gender. They can choose from six options: a cisgender woman, transgender woman, cis man, trans man, [[intersex]], or "I don't subscribe to any gender categories". Choosing the last option sets Thomil's stats to say "Gender: Not Applicable," and brings up these remarks in the narrative: "You are both genders, but you are also neither gender. You believe gender defies categorization, operating on a kind of sliding scale-- one that can change every day. You've come across [foreign planets'] texts about other cultures where such thinking is considered taboo or even sacrilegious, but in a society where everyone can quite literally share their thoughts and experiences, it's fairly impossible not to accept others once you understand who they truly are. Besides, even the most staunchly 'male' or 'female' cisgenders admit that sometimes they feel more 'masculine' or 'feminine' at different times. You just take that kind of thinking to a whole new level." The narration in ''VERSUS'' makes clear that this is not an undisclosed gender or a fantasy sex, but a nonbinary gender identity. Though Thomil comes from a sci-fi setting where where this and other transgender identities are accepted, this is a realistic depiction of a nonbinary person.
*''VERSUS: The Lost Ones'' by Zachary Sergi (published in 2015 by Choice of Games LLC) is a sci-fi interactive novel where it's possible to play a nonbinary character. The player's character, Thomil, comes from a planet where everyone telepathically shares their thoughts and feelings with one another. A couple chapters into the story, the player is asked about their character's gender. They can choose from six options: a cisgender woman, transgender woman, cis man, trans man, [[intersex]], or "I don't subscribe to any gender categories". Choosing the last option sets Thomil's stats to say "Gender: Not Applicable," and brings up these remarks in the narrative: "You are both genders, but you are also neither gender. You believe gender defies categorization, operating on a kind of sliding scale-- one that can change every day. You've come across [foreign planets'] texts about other cultures where such thinking is considered taboo or even sacrilegious, but in a society where everyone can quite literally share their thoughts and experiences, it's fairly impossible not to accept others once you understand who they truly are. Besides, even the most staunchly 'male' or 'female' cisgenders admit that sometimes they feel more 'masculine' or 'feminine' at different times. You just take that kind of thinking to a whole new level." The narration in ''VERSUS'' makes clear that this is not an undisclosed gender or a fantasy sex, but a nonbinary gender identity. Though Thomil comes from a sci-fi setting where where this and other transgender identities are accepted, this is a realistic depiction of a nonbinary person.
* In the RPG ''7th Dragon III Code: VFD'', you create your character without any reference to gender, and the game will use they/them pronouns for you and your teammate characters regardless of appearance. Players also can change their character's appearance and name anytime.<ref name="lgbt_Gend">{{Cite web |title=Gender in 7th Dragon III Code: VFD |author= |work=LGBTQ Video Game Archive |date=3 May 2019 |access-date=13 July 2021 |url= https://lgbtqgamearchive.com/2019/05/03/gender-in-7th-dragon-iii-code-vfd/#more-11037|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230629080521/https://lgbtqgamearchive.com/2019/05/03/gender-in-7th-dragon-iii-code-vfd/ |archive-date=17 July 2023 }}</ref>
* In the RPG ''7th Dragon III Code: VFD'', you create your character without any reference to gender, and the game will use they/them pronouns for you and your teammate characters regardless of appearance. Players also can change their character's appearance and name anytime.<ref name="lgbt_Gend">{{Cite web |title=Gender in 7th Dragon III Code: VFD |author= |work=LGBTQ Video Game Archive |date=3 May 2019 |access-date=13 July 2021 |url= https://lgbtqgamearchive.com/2019/05/03/gender-in-7th-dragon-iii-code-vfd/#more-11037|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230629080521/https://lgbtqgamearchive.com/2019/05/03/gender-in-7th-dragon-iii-code-vfd/ |archive-date=17 July 2023 }}</ref>
* In the RPG Undertale you control a character named Frisk, in the game you can see that all the NPCs call you a they and there are many LGBTQIA+ references in the true pacifist and pacifist route.{{citation needed}}


===2016===
===2016===
Line 75: Line 74:
* In the simulation game ''Animal Crossing: New Horizons'', the character creation process is non-gendered, having players select a "style" instead of a gender for their avatar.<ref name="repr_Anim">{{Cite web |title=Animal Crossing series |author= |work=Represent Me |date= |access-date=12 July 2021 |url= https://representme.charity/projects/queer/database/title/animal-crossing-series|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230602221936/https://representme.charity/projects/queer/database/title/animal-crossing-series|archive-date=17 July 2023}}</ref>
* In the simulation game ''Animal Crossing: New Horizons'', the character creation process is non-gendered, having players select a "style" instead of a gender for their avatar.<ref name="repr_Anim">{{Cite web |title=Animal Crossing series |author= |work=Represent Me |date= |access-date=12 July 2021 |url= https://representme.charity/projects/queer/database/title/animal-crossing-series|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230602221936/https://representme.charity/projects/queer/database/title/animal-crossing-series|archive-date=17 July 2023}}</ref>
* Interactive novel game ''Kidnapped! A Royal Birthday'' lets you be male, female, or nonbinary.<ref>https://store.steampowered.com/app/1356440/Kidnapped_A_Royal_Birthday/ [https://web.archive.org/web/20221226203523/https://store.steampowered.com/app/1356440/Kidnapped_A_Royal_Birthday/ Archived] on 17 July 2023</ref>
* Interactive novel game ''Kidnapped! A Royal Birthday'' lets you be male, female, or nonbinary.<ref>https://store.steampowered.com/app/1356440/Kidnapped_A_Royal_Birthday/ [https://web.archive.org/web/20221226203523/https://store.steampowered.com/app/1356440/Kidnapped_A_Royal_Birthday/ Archived] on 17 July 2023</ref>
*In the dating simulator ''Max Gentlemen Sexy Business!'' while customising your "gentlesona" you can chose what kind of body type (and genitals) you have (there's a variety of male-ish body types with vulvas or penises and the same goes to female-ish body types), which doesn't influence your dating options tho and can be overall ignored if you wish to. Also you choose what kind of business tycoon title you prefer "Sir", "Madame", or "Boss" mirroring traditional variety of pronouns.<ref>https://store.steampowered.com/app/817840/Max_Gentlemen_Sexy_Business/ [https://web.archive.org/web/20230529024217/https://store.steampowered.com/app/817840/Max_Gentlemen_Sexy_Business/ Archived] on 17 July 2023</ref>
*While customising your "gentlesona" in the dating simulator ''Max Gentlemen Sexy Business!'' you can choose from a variety of body types with vulvas or penises. You also choose what kind of business tycoon title you prefer from "Sir", "Madame", or "Boss", mirroring the traditional selection of pronouns. Neither of these influence your dating options.<ref>https://store.steampowered.com/app/817840/Max_Gentlemen_Sexy_Business/ [https://web.archive.org/web/20230529024217/https://store.steampowered.com/app/817840/Max_Gentlemen_Sexy_Business/ Archived] on 17 July 2023</ref>
* The Free-To-Play visual novel ''Our Life'' lets you choose your pronouns from she/her, he/him and they/them. As you grow up in the game you can also decide to change your pronouns.
* The Free-To-Play visual novel ''Our Life'' lets you choose your pronouns from she/her, he/him and they/them. As you grow up in the game you can also decide to change your pronouns.
*The platformer game ''Shovel Knight'' features a Body Swap Mode, which allows the player to customize the appearance and pronouns of each of the game's twelve main characters. Initially, only masculine and feminine pronouns were available, but an update in 2019 added the option for gender-neutral pronouns.
*The platformer game ''Shovel Knight'' features a Body Swap Mode, which allows the player to customize the appearance and pronouns of each of the game's twelve main characters. Initially, only masculine and feminine pronouns were available, but an update in 2019 added the option for gender-neutral pronouns.
Line 84: Line 83:
* The interactive novel game ''Pugmire: Treasure of the Sea Dogs'' lets you be male, female, or nonbinary. <ref>https://store.steampowered.com/app/1644330/Pugmire_Treasure_of_the_Sea_Dogs/ [https://web.archive.org/web/20230522074848/https://store.steampowered.com/app/1644330/Pugmire_Treasure_of_the_Sea_Dogs/ Archived] on 17 July 2023</ref>
* The interactive novel game ''Pugmire: Treasure of the Sea Dogs'' lets you be male, female, or nonbinary. <ref>https://store.steampowered.com/app/1644330/Pugmire_Treasure_of_the_Sea_Dogs/ [https://web.archive.org/web/20230522074848/https://store.steampowered.com/app/1644330/Pugmire_Treasure_of_the_Sea_Dogs/ Archived] on 17 July 2023</ref>
* The RPG ''Wildermyth'' allows heroes to have they/them pronouns.<ref>{{cite web|title=Non-binary heroes| date=28 December 2020| url=https://steamcommunity.com/app/763890/discussions/0/3001052356430888363/}}</ref>
* The RPG ''Wildermyth'' allows heroes to have they/them pronouns.<ref>{{cite web|title=Non-binary heroes| date=28 December 2020| url=https://steamcommunity.com/app/763890/discussions/0/3001052356430888363/}}</ref>
*In the racing game ''Forza Horizon 5'', the character creator gives an option for they/them pronouns. Pronouns are not tied to the body you choose for your character.
*In the racing game ''Forza Horizon 5'', the character creator gives an option for they/them pronouns. Pronouns are not tied to the body you choose for your character.
*In the action RPG ''Postknight 2'', the player character has no defined gender and can freely be customized using any combination of masculine and feminine hair, eyes, and clothing.
*In the action RPG ''Postknight 2'', the player character has no defined gender and can freely be customized using any combination of masculine and feminine hair, eyes, and clothing.
*The roguelite/dating sim ''Boyfriend Dungeon'' allows the player to choose between he/him, she/her and they/them pronouns. The choice of pronouns has no effect on your available customization options or ability to romance any of the characters.
===2022===
*In the narrative bullet hell ''non-binary'', you play the story of two different enby characters.<ref>{{Cite web |title=non-binary - owof |access-date=4 November 2023 |url= https://www.owof.games/game/non-binary-3/}}</ref>
* In the game SuchArt! it is possible to choose amongst 3 pronoun sets while creating the profile - she/her, he/him and they/them. The last one comes with gender neutral terms as well.<ref>{{Cite web |title=SuchArt Accessibility Isn’t Wonderful but It Is an Enjoyable Painting Sim|website=Can I Play That? |access-date=29 November 2023 |url= https://caniplaythat.com/2021/07/07/suchart-accessibility-preview-pc/}}</ref>
*In the farming RPG ''Harvestella'', character creation offers separate choices between "male", "female", and "non-binary" genders; masculine or feminine body types; and masculine or feminine voices.
===2023===
*In the farming sim ''Story of Seasons: A Wonderful Life'', you can choose between "she/her", "he/him", and "they/them" pronouns. None of the character creator options are restricted by pronoun choice.<ref>https://www.storyofseasons.com/awl/newfeatures/ [https://web.archive.org/web/20230723041124/https://www.storyofseasons.com/awl/newfeatures/ Archived] on 22 July 2023.</ref>
*In the fantasy role-playing game ''Baldur's Gate 3'', the player character's identity can be set as "Male", "Female", or "Non-Binary/Other". The "Identity" selection is not at all linked to the selection for body type or voice.
*Similar to the ''Animal Crossing: New Horizons'' example above, ''Splatoon 3'' has the players select their avatars' "style" (encompassing both gender and species). Haircuts and pants, which previously were gender-restricted, are now unisex, and most pieces of equipment whose appearance differed based on the character's gender have been split into separate pieces wearable regardless of "style". Gendered titles used in previous games have also been revised to be gender-neutral, such as "Splatfest Ruler" in place of "Splatfest King/Queen".<ref>{{Cite web |title=Splatoon 3 - Announcement Trailer - Nintendo Switch |author=Nintendo |work=YouTube |access-date=22 October 2021 |url= https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GUYDXVDLmns|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230628053226/http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GUYDXVDLmns |archive-date=17 July 2023 }}</ref><ref>https://splatoonwiki.org/wiki/Player_customization [https://web.archive.org/web/20230501222323/https://splatoonwiki.org/wiki/Player_customization Archived] on 17 July 2023</ref>
*Fighting game ''Street Fighter 6'' has the player create an avatar for use in the single-player World Tour mode as well as the multiplayer Battle Hub. Character creation allows choices between "male" and "female" body types, and, separately, "male", "female", or "human" gender identity. Selecting "human" results in the avatar being referred to with they/them pronouns. All of the options for the avatar's voice are available to avatars of either body type, and all clothing can be equipped regardless of body type and gender. The player can change their avatar's appearance and pronouns at will by visiting a beauty salon in World Tour.
*In the science fiction role-playing game ''Starfield,'' the player can choose which pronouns to use from "He/Him", "She/Her", and "They/Them". Characters in game will use the selected pronouns when referring to the player character. The player character can choose between two body types (1 and 2) regardless of pronouns, as well as two different walking animations, and all character creation options are available for both body types. Players can visit "Enhance" clinics in-game, where they can change the player character's appearance, name, and pronouns. <ref>{{Cite news|last=Game8|first=Starfield Walkthrough Team|url=https://game8.co/games/Starfield/archives/423228|title=How to Change and Select Pronouns|date=09/05/2023|work=Starfield|access-date=9/14/2023|url-status=live}}</ref>
*In the creature collecting game ''Cassette Beasts'', the character creation process is ungendered, and you can choose between he/him, she/her, and they/them. You can as well change to a different pronoun set at any point of the game.


===Unreleased (currently in development)===
===Unreleased (currently in development)===
* In the dating sim ''Repurpose'', the player will be able to choose their pronoun set as "he", "she", or "they".<ref name="Repurpose">{{Cite web |title=Repurpose (Demo) by Eros |author= |work=itch.io |date=11 June 2020 |access-date=28 October 2020 |url= https://residentrabbit.itch.io/repurpose-demo|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230515063331/https://residentrabbit.itch.io/repurpose-demo |archive-date=17 July 2023 }}</ref><ref name="kick_Repu">{{Cite web |title=Repurpose |author=Resident Rabbit |work=Kickstarter |access-date=28 October 2020 |url= https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/residentrabbit/repurpose/description|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230226150817/https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/residentrabbit/repurpose/description |archive-date=17 July 2023 }}</ref>
*In the dating sim ''Repurpose'', the player will be able to choose their pronoun set as "he", "she", or "they".<ref name="Repurpose">{{Cite web |title=Repurpose (Demo) by Eros |author= |work=itch.io |date=11 June 2020 |access-date=28 October 2020 |url= https://residentrabbit.itch.io/repurpose-demo|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230515063331/https://residentrabbit.itch.io/repurpose-demo |archive-date=17 July 2023 }}</ref><ref name="kick_Repu">{{Cite web |title=Repurpose |author=Resident Rabbit |work=Kickstarter |access-date=28 October 2020 |url= https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/residentrabbit/repurpose/description|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230226150817/https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/residentrabbit/repurpose/description |archive-date=17 July 2023 }}</ref>
* Similar to the ''Animal Crossing: New Horizons'' example above, ''Splatoon 3'' (set to be released on 2022) will have the players select their avatars' "style" (encompasses both gender and species). The haircuts and pants (which previously were gender-restricted) will also be unisex.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Splatoon 3 - Announcement Trailer - Nintendo Switch |author=Nintendo |work=YouTube |access-date=22 October 2021 |url= https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GUYDXVDLmns|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230628053226/http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GUYDXVDLmns |archive-date=17 July 2023 }}</ref><ref>https://splatoonwiki.org/wiki/Player_customization [https://web.archive.org/web/20230501222323/https://splatoonwiki.org/wiki/Player_customization Archived] on 17 July 2023</ref>
*The sci-fi visual novel ''Infinite Stars'' will allow your character to use he/him, she/her, or they/them pronouns.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://store.steampowered.com/app/1716360/Infinite_Stars__The_Visual_Novel/ |title=Infinite Stars - The Visual Novel on Steam |quote=Shape your avatar and his {{!}} her {{!}} their history, personality, and relationships through countless decisions and interactions. |access-date=15 November 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230317061813/https://store.steampowered.com/app/1716360/Infinite_Stars__The_Visual_Novel/ |archive-date=17 July 2023 }}</ref>
*The sci-fi visual novel ''Infinite Stars'' will allow your character to use he/him, she/her, or they/them pronouns.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://store.steampowered.com/app/1716360/Infinite_Stars__The_Visual_Novel/ |title=Infinite Stars - The Visual Novel on Steam |quote=Shape your avatar and his {{!}} her {{!}} their history, personality, and relationships through countless decisions and interactions. |access-date=15 November 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230317061813/https://store.steampowered.com/app/1716360/Infinite_Stars__The_Visual_Novel/ |archive-date=17 July 2023 }}</ref>